The female has a striking white eye-ring and face patch, while the male's head is entirely dark.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Nyimarak, Nyinarak, Grunter, Chestnut-Breasted Shelduck, Chestnut-Coloured Shieldrake, Chestnut-Breasted Sheldrake, Chestnut-Coloured Sheldrake, Sheldrake, Chestnut Sheldrake
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeGiant
RarityCommon
Habitatgrassland, sparse woodland, open woodland, and waterbodies
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from October to March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Nick Talbot
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
194062approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Often found around coastal marshland and surrounding pasture, but also in drier areas in small groups around small farm dams. Usual range is southern Australia (both east and west), but occasional records from farther north.
Behavior
Female has white around eye and bill, while male has an all-black head.
Gallery
Regional timing
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
South Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory